Each year, UF and UF Health offer a wellness program featuring wellness screenings, personal health assessments and opportunities for employees to engage in wellness initiatives at work. While these offerings were put on hold in 2020 because of COVID-19 concerns, participation was the highest ever in 2021.

With renewed interest, and everyone hopeful to resume normal activities, screening events were scheduled at hospitals and several physician practices. Participation increased beyond what had been attained in the previous four years.

Below is a summary of the 2021 results.

Event Screening and Personal Health Assessment, or PHA, Participation:

Overall Wellness score = 70

The wellness score indicates the percentage of employees at low risk for health issues. Organizations should aim for a wellness score of 70-85.

Greatest Risk Areas

Of the 3,200 faculty and staff at UF Health who participated, the following percentages had these health risks:

BMI                        72%

Factors contributing to this risk are nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress and waist size.

Stress                    63%

Factors contributing to this risk are physical activity, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, social support, sleep and coping skills.

Blood Pressure 47%

Factors contributing to this risk are BMI, nutrition, physical activity, relaxation, tobacco/alcohol and stress.

Depression         33%

Factors contributing to this risk are coping skills, outlook, physical activity, social support, sleep, relaxation and alcohol/substance abuse.

Percentages are based on the number of people who ranked borderline or high risk in each area.

Registration is now open to participate in the 2022 UF Health Shands Wellness Program!

The UF Health wellness program rewards you for working on your health throughout the year. This program is open for all UF Health Shands benefits-eligible employees. Earn up to $100 by completing two parts of this program:

• Biometric Screening: Earn a $25 Amazon gift card by completing a screening at an on-site event or at a participating Quest Diagnostics Lab.
• Online Portion: Earn $75 by completing the required activities and earning 300 points. Visit org/betteryoustrides for directions to register for the online portion. Activities from Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022 are eligible to self-report for points.

Timeline for upcoming events:

Hospital Wellness Screenings
May 23 – May 24              UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium

Off-site Wellness Screenings
June 2022

Screenings at a Quest Lab — available July and August 2022.

Visit the GatorCare Wellness Incentive Programs website to learn more and to sign up for this year’s wellness program!